July. Ryan had graduated Dental School and, after a month of waiting for his results, he was officially Board Certified. Not only that, but we were within 6 weeks of his start date for Officer Development School. A trifecta that could only mean one thing, it was time for him to commission as an Officer.
In my head the Commissioning Ceremony was very different to what happened in real life. I was imagining high ranking officials there, shaking white gloved hands; framed, gilded certificates; lot's of 'Yes, Sir's' and 'No, Mam's'; and uniforms- I'd waited four years for uniforms- ideally the white one's from Top Gun, but emblazoned suits would be fine too.
Apparently though, it doesn't have to be a formal affair. It turned out that it didn't even have to be one of Ryan's superior Officers performing the ceremony. Actually it can be conducted by a family member with the qualifying rank, if it's been approved. And, since Ryan's Dad just happens to be a retired Officer in the Air Force, he thought it would be 'pretty cool' to have his Dad swear him in.
So here's what the scene really looked like, Charlotte pledging allegiance in the background, and all:
I think it worked out for the best, since first trimester 'feeling like absolute garbage all day' had well and truly set in. Not many wives get to curl up in their pyjama's as they watch their husband make that first salute. Plus, I'm sure if Ryan's Chief had sworn him in he wouldn't of proceeded to let him pick out a new gun by way of congratulations....
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